The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment

Part of the On Zen Practice collection

Wisdom's volume On Zen Practice was conceived as the essential primer for beginning Zen practice, offering insight to every aspect of Zen training. The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment takes the reader to the next level, exploring some of the more subtle and sophisticated topics in Zen.

The first two parts of the book explore enlightenment and delusion: What is nature of enlightenement? What does it mean to describe enlightenment as sudden or gradual? What is the nature of delusion, and how can watch out for the particular delusion that masquerades as enlightenment? The third part looks at "enlightenment in action"--what it means for someone to living and acting in order with the deep wisdom of enlightenment, and how we can practice learning "learning how to be satisfied" and enjoy serenity and transquility. The final section is a moving and powerful firsthand account of one woman's solitary realization of the deepest truths--a story that can become an inspiration for all of us. The contributors to this volume include some the pioneering masters who were seminal in helping Zen take firm root in American soil.

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Praise

"The Venerable Taizan Maezumi Roshi's teaching has caused true Zen to penetrate into people's minds and has cut through the trappings of their ego-oriented intentions. Through his wisdom, Buddhadharma will shine into the world, dispelling the darkness of samsaric confusion and bringing the gentle rain of compassion."

– Chogyam Trungpa, author of Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, from the foreword

"The Venerable Taizan Maezumi Roshi's teaching has caused true Zen to penetrate into people's minds and has cut through the trappings of their ego-oriented intentions. Through his wisdom, Buddhadharma will shine into the world, dispelling the darkness of samsaric confusion and bringing the gentle rain of compassion."

– Chogyam Trungpa, author of Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, from the foreword

"Understanding of the nature of enlightenment and delusion are of prime importance to all spiritual seekers. Maezumi Roshi and Bernie Glassman clearly illuminate these topics in their book The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment. Their profound insight shines through the words in this classic book and will bring peace to those who fathom the depths of their teachings."

– Gerry Shishin Wick, Roshi, PH.D., Abbot of Great Mountain Zen Center and author of The Book of Equanimity and The Great Heart Way

"Maezumi Roshi was a remarkable teacher: subtle, meticulous and unpredictable. He had a depth and breadth of understanding that opened the hearts and minds of his students to the vast, mysterious web of existence and to the simplicity and wonder of our everyday lives. The Hazy Moon of Enlightenment is rich with brilliance and accessibility."

– Nicolee Jikyo McMahon Roshi, Three Treasures Zen Community

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Book Reviews

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PRAISE

"The jolt of confidence you get when discussing a day's performance with a seasoned veteran can take any activity to a higher level. In his concise and informative Zen Meditation in Plain English, meditation veteran John Daishin Buksbazen gives detailed directions for each step of Zen-style meditation, from getting into the different postures and developing breath concentration, all the way up to intensive training periods. His focus is on getting the fundamentals right. He also offers a rare introduction to the importance and mechanics of group practice and a well-selected Frequently Asked Questions section at the end. While Buksbazen repeatedly says that there is no substitute for a good teacher, until you find one, Zen Meditation in Plain English will do nicely."

– Brian Bruya, Religion Editor, Amazon.com

"The jolt of confidence you get when discussing a day's performance with a seasoned veteran can take any activity to a higher level. In his concise and informative Zen Meditation in Plain English, meditation veteran John Daishin Buksbazen gives detailed directions for each step of Zen-style meditation, from getting into the different postures and developing breath concentration, all the way up to intensive training periods. His focus is on getting the fundamentals right. He also offers a rare introduction to the importance and mechanics of group practice and a well-selected Frequently Asked Questions section at the end. While Buksbazen repeatedly says that there is no substitute for a good teacher, until you find one, Zen Meditation in Plain English will do nicely."

About the Authors

Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi (1931-95) was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher and roshi, and lineage holder in the Soto, Rinzai and Harada-Yasutani traditions of Zen. He combined the Rinzai use of koans and the Soto emphasis on shikantaza in his teachings, influenced by his years studying under Hakuun Yasutani in the Harada-Yasutani school. He founded or co-founded several institutions and practice centers, including the Zen Center of Los Angeles, White Plum Asanga, Yokoji Zen Mountain Center, and the Zen Mountain Monastery. Taizan Maezumi left behind twelve Dharma successors, appointed sixty-eight priests and gave Buddhist precepts to more than five hundred practitioners. Along with Zen teachers like Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, Seung Sahn Dae Soen Sa Nim, and Venerable Hsuan Hua, Maezumi greatly influenced the American Zen landscape. Several Dharma Successors of his-including Tetsugen Bernard Glassman, Dennis Merzel, John Daido Loori, Jan Chozen Bays, Gerry Shishin Wick, Charlotte Joko Beck, and William Nyogen Yeo-have gone on to found Zen communities of their own. Maezumi died unexpectedly while visiting Japan in 1995.

Bernard (Bernie) Tetsugen Glassman is a dharma heir to Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi. He is the founder of the Peacemaker Circle, the famous Greyston Mandala and the Greyston Bakery (featured on 60 Minutes). He is author of Infinite Circle and, with Jeff Bridges, The Dude and the Zen Master.